He hefted the large canvas log tote full of firewood over his shoulder and began his half mile trek back to his cabin. The fearsome, mighty Wolverine felt like a surefire punk carrying the tote, but Ororo had insisted that he carry the damn thing. At first he had rebelled when she had presented him with it as a, in her words, just because gift. But as always with anything having to do with her, he had eventually caved and gave into her wishes. He continuously swear that she possessed some sort of powers of persuasion, as she was always getting him to do her bidding. The woman was a con artist, plain and simple. And he wouldn't have her any other way.

The morning twilight was now brightening the sky. He sighed, knowing that he had a lot to do today. It was only the fifth day of their sabbatical at his mountain retreat in the Canadian Rockies. He had decided to get the firewood out of the way first, before he called to check in with Jubilee and Charles, then journey into town to get provisions and other necessities for himself and 'Ro and also the necessary supplies he'll need to winter proof the home. They were definitely spending the winter here, that much he knew. But if he had it his way, they would definitely spend the rest of their lives here. His overall plan was for them to spend as much time away from Westchester, the school and its daily drama, battling foes, demons and aliens…and the King who was bound to make his way to New York to retrieve his strong-willed fiancé.

"Over my dead body," Logan mumbled as he looked up and saw the cabin come into view. He stood a good fifty yards away from the structure, laying the firewood on the ground and allowing his enhanced senses to rein free. He felt the touch of the early morning crisp autumn air seeping through his flannel shirt and worn out jeans caressing his skin. He heard the many distinct sounds around him, the buzzing of various insects and the calls of the birds and other animals. Last but not least, he took in the variety of scents that surrounded him, the trees, the grass, the soil. A lazy grin overrode his rugged features when that oh so heavenly pungent mixture of sandalwood, vanilla and freshly fallen rain stroked his nose.

From the sounds of her breathing, she was still in the grips of sleep. Good, he mused. She needed all the rest she could get and he was going to make sure she get it. Come hell or high water, he was damn committed to making sure she was fully recuperated physically, emotionally and mentally. Not because Charles had thrust the responsibility on him, but because he knew it was his responsibility.

He scowled when images of the X-Men's battle against the now defunct Church of Humanity almost two weeks ago, bombarded him. The scourge organization had had the audacity to severely injure his 'Ro and almost kill his Jubilee. His resulting beserker rage was one for the record books, with him singlehandedly taking down the sinister organization. His teammates could all only look on in awe as they bore witness to why the Wolverine was the best at what he did. When the dust was settled, Angel had revived Jubilee and 'Ro had suffered a broken back and collapsed lung and heavy internal bleeding.

He felt as if he was living in the pits of hell as Cyclops and Shadow Cat did all in their power to get them back to the mansion quickly, while Beast and Jean frantically worked to save 'Ro's life. She was placed in a medically induced coma for the next three days and Logan was beside himself, snarling and roaring at everyone and everything, not knowing if she'll pull through.

Add to all the fray was the fact that instead of fighting with the X-Men, Ororo should have been in Wakanda preparing for her wedding. Imagine his surprise when he was enjoying some quiet time at the lake when he caught a whiff of her delectable scent. He had thought then that he was going out of her mind because from what he knew, she was thousands of miles away preparing for her big day. When she seemingly appeared next to him out of nowhere and collapsed in his arms from over exertion, he knew then that something huge had went down between her and her prick of a fiancé.

No one knew her reasons for returning to the mansion when she did, instead of being in the thick of preparations to become a Queen. She behaved as if nothing was out of the ordinary with her return and as if it was perfectly normal for her to resume her position as the X-Men's second in command after resigning a month prior. They all speculated and hoped that she'll be forthcoming with something, but they all knew her too well and knew that she was not going to willingly divulge any information.

It was quite clear to anyone with a shred of common sense that something was clearly off with her. The Ororo that returned to them was not the Ororo who had left for Wakanda with a whole new promise. It had taken every ounce of restraint Logan possessed, as well as some from Charles to keep him from tracking down the wayward Panther and puncturing the self-serving clown with several new holes. As Charles was the only one who knew of his hidden feelings for the weather witch, he had implored the volatile Canadian not to do anything to jeopardize what had now became his chance with Ororo. He had grudgingly consented and had spent many a nights and days taking out his frustrations on Black Panther holograms in the danger room.

Once Ororo had emerged from the coma, Xavier had given him the idea of taking his adopted daughter away from all the madness in order to help her properly recuperate. Logan was no fool and his instincts had told him that Charles wanted them both far away from New York for different reasons and Logan was all too eager to oblige his old friend. After much consultation with Hank and Jean and the Goddess herself, it was determined that she could be carefully relocated to begin her healing.

No one, except for Charles and Jubilee, knew that he was taking her to his mountain retreat. So, it was five days ago, he had said his private goodbye to his Jubes, loaded up one of the mini jets with the equipment needed to aid her recovery, enough food and water to last at least a couple of months and Ororo, bound for what he had finally realized was a new direction for both of them.

Logan sighed. There was no way he was blowing this chance he was given to tell and show Ororo that she was his world. He was graciously handed this second chance and he was not about to let it go to waste. He bent to grab the firewood tote when he heard her breathing changed slightly. She would be up in a few minutes and would require his assistance. He practically raced the remaining distance to the cabin, dumped the firewood into the deck box just outside the kitchen door and busied himself with preparing breakfast until her summons.

He was placing the fried Canadian bacon on a paper towel covered plate, when he heard her soft voice beckoning him. He placed the prepared food in the warmer and filled a glass with water, before turning and heading up the stairs to his room.

"Mornin' darlin'," he greeted her with his trademark crooked smile. "Sleep good?"

Ororo gave him a shy smile in return, her hand coming up to sweep the curtain of hair that fell over her face. "Yes, thank you, Logan."

He placed the glass of water on the coaster on the night stand and marched into the adjourning master bathroom to grab her medication. "Any pain?" He called out. As he held her throughout the night, his senses had told him that she was in a bit of pain as she laid curled up next to him, but mornings were always a different story.

"Just a little," she admitted when he came back.

He scowled, but there was no bite to it as he stood looming over her, his hands filled with bottles of analgesics, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants. "Ya weren't goin' ta say anything if I didn't ask, were ya? How bad is it?"

She ducked her head guiltily. The man knew her so well. "You know I hate to take medication, Logan."

"I know, darlin', but these are fer yer own good." He placed the bottles next to the glass of water before opening each bottle and fishing a pill out. "Hank said ya got about another ten days ta go takin' these."

Ororo pouted as she accepted four pills and the water from him. Logan repressed a growl at the unintentional sexy way she was looking this morning. Tussled hair, sleep filled eyes, pouted lips. And in his bed. Damn, he had it bad.

She sat up gingerly and hurriedly swallowed the dreaded medicine before handing him the empty glass. "Then we begin the Wolverine's exclusive therapy sessions." She grimaced just thinking about him putting her through the ringer. If the extraordinary levels of his self-defense and combat training classes were any indications, she knew that she would be in for it with his brand of physical therapy.

"Definitely," he smiled, placing the glass back on the night stand. "Just know that my therapy sessions are one of a kind and only given ta special people."

"Am I special?" Her question was asked softly and with such sadness underlying it. He hated this sadness that had permeated the air around her since she had returned to them.

Logan frowned as he went to sit down on the edge of the bed. He stared at her intently and reached out to cup her cheek, moving his thumb back and forth her soft smooth skin.

Unable to take the reverential look he was giving her, she lowered her head. Nuh uh…he wasn't going to take that. He needed to see those cerulean pools of hers. Moving his hand down to her chin, he tilted her head up. It broke his heart to see the overwhelming sorrow and the tears that were ready to fall. Yeah, he and Panther were definitely going to have a conversation. "'Ro," he muttered, swiping his thumb at the water that had leaked out. "Darlin', ya have no idea how special ya are ta yer family…and ta me."

Ororo's eyes widened slightly and her breathing hitched. She reached up to hold his hand still resting on her chin. "You are very special to me too, Logan."

His grin softened his features. "Course I am, darlin'. Nobody can't resist all this."

She laughed. "You are so conceited."

He joined in on the laughter, removing his hand from her face. "Always darlin'." After a few moments of drowning in her eyes, he stood and murmured. "Ya ready?"

Ororo sighed, knowing what he asked. She lifted her arms in the air and allowed him to pull his oversized T-Shirt that she used as her sleep attire, over her head. He sucked in his breath at the splendor that was her nakedness, but kept his visage neutral. Now wasn't the time for him to give into his carnal desires. She kept her arms lifted as he shifted around her to unstrap and unbuckle the complicated back brace Hank insisted she wear. When the brace was completely off, he bent and effortlessly lifted her in this arms, her slender arms automatically finding their way around his neck.

He carried her to the bathroom, where they fell into her morning routine. He seated her on the closed toilet lid before moving to fill the claw foot tub with hot water. He sprinkled some Epsom salts in the water and stood watching her as she sat brushing her teeth. When she was finished, he lifted her again, placing her in the steaming bath water.

He dropped a light kiss on her head before walking out the room. "I'll be right back."

She smiled knowing what his next task was. He was going to get something for her to wear. Yes, the Wolverine was going to get her a bra and underwear. She didn't feel an ounce of embarrassment or any hits to her pride, knowing that the man was seeing her at her most vulnerable. He was seeing her naked, cleaning her and dressing her, among other things. She would be hard pressed to say that she wasn't enjoying or appreciating the hungry looks he was prone to tossing her way and at other times, his look of naked, raw adoration. What he was giving to her now was the one thing she had wanted since they laid eyes on each other all those years ago. But, alas, both searching for different things had led them down separate paths.

However, she knew deep down that she wasn't ready for that kind of commitment. And that's what anything more with the Wolverine will be…a commitment. A deep, forever-binding commitment. Before anything further can be delved into with Logan, she first had to heal the wounds that had clogged her heart and soul over the past couple of months. It would not be fair to him for her to bring any baggage from her past relationships for him to help her carry. She had no doubts that he would do anything she asked him too, but this, she dared not. She was struggling with coming to grips with her pain and she needed to respect the boundary of friendship they had in place. Her chest hurt just thinking about what she had walked away from and why she had walked away from it. She willed the tears that were beginning to pool in her eyes away, knowing that any change in the weather will have Logan ranting and begging her for answers she just wasn't ready to share yet.

"Ya ok in there, darlin'?" His deep rumble was such a balm to her wounded soul.

"I am waiting for you."

"All ya had ta do was say so," he quipped, strolling into the bathroom, a sky blue bra and matching bikini underwear in his hands and a blue sweat suit slung over his shoulder.

Ororo stifled a moan at the sight of her underwear resting possessively in his hands, choosing instead to roll her eyes. "I thought that you were able to use those senses of yours and know exactly what I needed."

Logan's eyebrows shot up. "In due time, darlin'," he replied cryptically, placing the clothing on the hand towel rack.

He grabbed her bath sponge, squeezing a liberal amount of her sandalwood scented bath gel on it, before kneeling by the side of the tub and proceeded to carefully wash her. No hair washing today…he did that yesterday. Fifteen minutes later, he stood, wiping his hands on his jeans before grabbing her towel off the hook on the back of the door. Maneuvering as only he can, he wrapped her in the exquisite cotton and lifted her into his arms, sitting on the reinforced stool he had made especially to withstand his metal-laced frame.

Carefully, he dried her completely, all the while reining in his baser self. Damn if his beast wasn't going buck wild, attempting to get out being this close to her. He felt ashamed every time his primal nature reared its head whenever he thought about Ororo or was near her. Logan took a deep breath. His beast wasn't going to cause him to bring any harm to the woman he loved. She deserved better than him, thus he denied himself the joy and peace he knew she would bring him. Hurting her was not an option, so he did his best to keep his bestial half under lock and key but he wasn't that naïve to believe that he would be able to keep the beast caged much longer. He had no clue what the hell he was going to do, once the beast was set free.

Ororo sensing his internal struggle whispered, "What are your plans for today?"

His heart sped up hearing her husky, wet dream inducing voice. He cleared his throat of the huge lump there. "Gonna check in with Chuck and Jubes, then head inta town ta get whatever ya need and some supplies from the hardware store."

"May I go with you?" She asked, while he rubbed her favorite sandalwood body lotion onto her skin.

His senses were inflamed. "'Ro," he began. "Ya know…"

"Please, Logan. I am going insane being cooped up in the cabin."

"Ya haven't been cooped up. I take ya outside," he muttered, deftly putting on her bra and undies.

"Yes, but we are still on your land," she retorted, folding her arms petulantly.

"Sweetheart, the ride inta town is about an hour and a half. I don't want ya ta be uncomfortable."

He covered her lower half with the sweat suit pants and groaned internally. He was hard and hoped she didn't see his want for her currently manifesting itself in his loins.

"I would not be uncomfortable."

"'Ro…"

"I promise. Please, Logan."

Damn it! He was sunk. He wasn't able to refuse her anything. He eyed her hard. "Fine. But if I hear ya complain…"

She smiled sweetly, knowing that she had broken him down. "I would not."

He shook his head and took up the sweat suit top before lifting her up again. "Come on, let me put yer brace on then feed ya."

"You are such a charmer, Logan."

"Don't I know it."

After a filling breakfast and his call to Charles and Jubilee, he grabbed an extra sweater for her, knowing full well she didn't need it and her cane, yet another tool Hank insisted she use. After securing her into the Chevy Silverado he had bought a day after their arrival, they were on their way.

It was near eight in the evening when they returned from their day's long sojourn. Although she had stuck to her promise and didn't complain, he knew she was exhausted and in some pain. So he took care of her needs first, making sure she took her medication, before stripping her naked and placing her in the vanilla scented bath he drew for her. With explicit instructions to stay put, he went to unload the truck of their purchases and dinner of burgers and fries.

He allowed her to luxuriate in the bath for another fifteen minutes before he went up to wash and dress her. Once he was done helping her, he slipped into the shower to cleanse himself of the day's grime and dirt. Once that was out of the way, he led her downstairs, where he had already set the dining table with their dinner and drinks.

Ororo moaned as she took a bite of her juicy turkey burger, some ketchup trickling down the side of her mouth.

Logan had to squelch a moan of his own at that sight. "Careful there darlin'. Don't want ta give the neighbors the wrong idea."

'Ro rolled her eyes. Their nearest neighbor was four miles out. "You were right about Canadian burgers."

He smirked. "Told ya." He looked on amused, as she devoured the huge burger and two helpings of steak fries.

She covertly admired the man sitting across from her. Goddess! He was something to behold. Not conventionally handsome, but still very good looking, strong, caring, loyal and gentle, despite what he may say, her best friend and her love. Sure he was extremely bullheaded, crass and obnoxious along with his finer qualities, but she wouldn't have him any other way.

She smiled softly thinking about the man many feared, just because they didn't know him. The man many have abused just because they believed he was an animal. The man who many thought didn't possess a heart, but in fact possessed one of the most gentle and genuine hearts she had ever known. Oh! Only if they knew and saw in him what she did. This man sitting across from her right now, who had been taking care of her wants and needs for as long as she could remember, was so much more of a man than that pompous ass she had almost pledged her life too. Sighing, she shifted her thoughts away from the sorrow that was coursing its way into the quiet evening.

Logan saw every emotion displayed on her beautiful face. Her thoughts had apparently brought her to a sour place and he had no doubts as to what and who she was thinking about. He sighed inwardly, knowing that seeing to her emotional needs was going to be the toughest part of her healing.

"Ya know, darlin'. Yer gonna have ta let it out sooner or later," he rumbled around a bite of his third burger.

Ororo's eyes swung up to meet his intense gaze. She quickly lowered her head. "I have no idea what you are speaking of Logan."

"Just know that I'm here fer ya whenever ya're ready."

Tears came to her eyes. She both hated and loved this one quality about him…his tendency not to push anyone to do what they didn't want to do until they were ready.

They finished their meal in silence, their minds straying to thoughts of each other. Once he was finished cleaning up their messes, he hoisted her into his arms and carried her upstairs to his bed. When he got in under the covers, she turned to him and kissed him on the cheek before turning onto her side away from him and settling her head on the pillow and burrowing down deeper under the covers.

"Good night, mountain man."

Logan switched the lamp off then turned under the covers, wrapping an arm around her, and spooning her from behind. "Night, wind rider."